Leftfield - Leftism

I can see why this was so amazing when it came out. I don't think I've heard any album before this that sounded anything like it - as it was later coined, progressive house. Today it seems rather bland, as the style has been copied numerous times that its commonplace today. I think the best part of the album was the first track, before the vocals came in - that instrumental is sublimely addicting, and I wish an entire track was made out of it. I also think there are too many vocals on here, and I believe his style fits perfectly with instrumental music.

Reviewing this in retrospect, its an above average album. Unfortunately I don't share the memories that others may have with this album, nor any idea of how revolutionary this album was when it came out; the two factors that lead many fans to call this one of the biggest electronic releases ever.

Well, here's what is constantly referred to as the "Best British Electronica Album" of all time.

It doesn't disappoint.

The key word here is "atmosphere". Throughout the album, there is a strange, cold, green and yet compelling atmosphere held through all the tracks. Another key word is "awesome": EVERY single track here is good. Nothing stands out as poor at all. It's hard to talk about such an old classic without going all gushing and over the top like a common reviewer trying to convince themselves they've spent their money well, but this is different...

"Release the Pressure", a careful, mystical start with some great and relevant lyrics. "Afro-Left" - a more powerful, cultural journey. "Melt" - just BEAUTIFUL! "Song of Life" - easily one of my top 5 electronica tracks of all time, it contains so many good parts that drift apart and come back together - this track is AMAZING. "Original" - great lyrics, once again. "Black Flute" - a nice, dancey piece that's almost a filler, but not quite! "Storm 3000" - another OUTSTANDING composition. "Open Up" is the total climax: damning and wonderful. Finally, "21st Century Poem" is a pensive work with simple, but powerful lyrics once more.

It's no surprise that Leftfield produced one, inferior album then broke up. They would never be able to top this masterpiece...

I picked this album up at a second hand store not expecting too much. I wasn’t disappointed but it wasn’t exceptional. The production has that nostalgic 1995 feel to it, when music wasn’t as unpredictable as it is now. The songs very throughout Leftism from Ambient to Prodigy’s Dub-Big Beat to almost Meat Beat Manifesto style Industrial. The truth is the album would be all right lest lyrics on the majority of the songs with the exception of “Original”. The female vocalist has a beautiful voice and the production would seem itself not able to contain a voice as hers but they mate very well. The Techno/Dance style in which Leftfield experiment with throughout the majority of the album is a bit tired in 2005, ten years after its original release which is a bit of a turn off. I don’t suggest dropping anymore than a fiver on this album or downloading it off your favorite software-sharing program but there are several instrumental cuts that aren’t bad to the ears.